Novelty Airmen lighters, 1930s

(On left) an unusual silver-plated novelty table lighter in the form of a pre-Second World War airman, in period flight suit with cap and goggles, holding gloves in his right hand and a two bladed propeller in the left. His head is hinged to reveal a functioning period lighter, removable for filling. The airman stands on a deep sôcle set on an ebonized wooden plinth, the front engraved ‘Presented to F. Dawson-Paul on completion of 1000 hours Instruction from his first 19 'A Licence' Pupils, 3.9.1939’. English, circa late 1930s.

Height: 12 inches (30 cm).

REFERENCE: 6451
Price Code: ££

Note: This table lighter was presented to Sub-Lt Francis Dawson-Paul (1916 – 1940) of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, in 1939. Dawson-Paul initially served with the R.A.F from 1934 to 1937 and joined the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm but was seconded back to the R.A.F. to fly Spitfires during the Battle of Britain, serving with No.64 Squadron at Kenley.

In July 1940 Dawson-Paul was shot down and subsequently died of his wounds, but not before he was recognised as the first Naval ‘air ace of the battle’, and the highest scoring naval Spitfire ‘ace of the war’. He was buried in Hardinghen churchyard in France. This lighter was presented to him on the first day of World War II, 3rd September 1939.

(On right) another example of this novelty aviator lighter design, this airman with a contrasting dark patinated flight suit, cap, goggle and gloves. Also a presentation piece, this figure stands on a tapered oak plinth with aged patina and to the front is a silver plaque engraved ‘PRESENTED TO O.A. NICKLOUS FROM HIS (RAF) FINCHLEY COLLEAGUES’. English, circa late 1930s.